The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level is a readability test designed to indicate how difficult a passage in English is to understand. The score translates to a U.S. grade level, making it easier for teachers, parents, librarians, and others to judge the readability level of various books and texts.
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level
Understanding the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level
The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formula was developed under contract to the U.S. Navy in 1975 by J. Peter Kincaid and his team. Unlike the Flesch Reading Ease Score this formula presents the score as a U.S. grade level, making it easier for teachers, parents, librarians, and others to judge the readability level of various books and texts.
The Formula
Grade Level = 0.39 × (total words ÷ total sentences) + 11.8 × (total syllables ÷ total words) - 15.59
Score Interpretation
- 5th grade: Very easy to read
- 6th grade: Easy to read
- 7th grade: Fairly easy to read
- 8th & 9th grade: Plain English
- 10th to 12th grade: Fairly difficult
- College: Difficult
- College graduate: Very difficult
Practical Applications
The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formula is widely used in education and professional settings:
- Educational material assessment
- Technical documentation
- Legal document compliance (many U.S. states require insurance policies to be written at a 9th-grade level or lower)
- Content accessibility evaluation
Pro Tip
For general audience content, aim for a grade level between 7 and 9. This range ensures your content is accessible to most readers while maintaining engagement and comprehension.